Our History

1998
Mexican-born choreographer and performing artist Laura Armenta creates Armenta Productions. Operating at a small scale out of a couple of spots in Downtown Ada, MI. The initial classes offered were Vinyasa Yoga, Ballet and Contemporary Dance.

2000
New Space, New Adventures! Growing confidence as an artistic entrepreneur, Laura moves her services into a larger space in Grand Rapids Township. West Asian Dance and Guided Meditation get added to the classes and workshops menu.

2002
Laura receives an artistic residency to teach at Grandville Avenue Academy for the Arts (now Cook Center). At this point Armenta Productions operates out of both locations – Grand Rapids Township and Grandville Avenue Academy for the Arts in Downtown Grand Rapids. Laura acquires her first Thai-Yoga Therapy Practitioner certification and begins to offer those services.

2003
On the Move! Armenta Productions goes from Grand Rapids Township to the Alger Heights neighborhood. Strength and Mobility Training is added to the service menu.

2004
Time for the big leap! Armenta Productions, LLC becomes The Armenta Studio, LLC and moves to a beautiful new location on Wealthy St. in Eastown Grand Rapids. From this moment forward all services are in one location. “We have a home”. Becoming also the permanent house of Laura Armenta Dance Company.

2006
In addition to the classes and workshops offered, The Armenta Studio begins to host dance, theater, film, music and poetry events. Laura creates “Bijoux” Student Dance Ensemble

2008
Ten Year Anniversary. Yay! Still at the Wealthy St location, Bridal services begin: Wedding Dance Choreography, Bachelorette Dance Parties, Bridal Bootcamp.

2011
Spring time is Time for Renewal and Transformation. The rebranding and search for a new location process begins.

2012
Transition is done! New Home and New Name! The Armenta Studio becomes Armentality Movement Arts Center. Our New home is inside the Historical Masonic Center(use link) Downtown Grand Rapids.

2012-2014
A long Remodeling journey ended with a magnificent natural wood flooring, open ceilings, larger space and lobby, plus soothing colors and a New Identity. Forever Grateful to all the Friends and students that helped in this transformation!

2015
Settled into our new gorgeous location, Armentality Movement Arts Center begins to host workshops with local, national and international guest teachers. Space gets set up to be a venue for intimate performances.
2016
Making space for new perspectives! Now established as a relevant arts organization in West Michigan, Armentality Movement Arts Center expands its artistic vision and begins to support other creatives by offering space for explorations and further development.

2018
Twenty Year Anniversary. Yay! We celebrate with performances and open house events. As always grateful to all the artist friends that made the celebration unique and unforgettable.

2020
Global Pandemic ignites the start up of vast and successful Online Programs. Somewhat unexpectedly, Laura and Armentality Movement Arts Center services begin to thrive internationally. Ongoing classes move to the rooftop until early Fall.

2023
Twenty Five Years of Armentality Movement Arts Center!
This anniversary is the celebration of an immigrant woman with passion, a Mexican artist with courage, and although she started with no network of support – she has a great vision and discipline, unique focus and resilience, fierce determination and devotion to Movement Arts.